Label applicator



1965 K. KLOPFENSTEIN ETAL 3,232,815

LABEL APPLICATOR Original Filed Sept. 26, 1962 '7 Sheets-Sheet 1 FIG!INVENTORS; KING L. KLOPFENSTEIN LOUIS J. MASTELLA ATT'YS Feb. 1, 1966 K.KLO PFENSTEIN ETAL 3,232,815

LABEL APPLIGATOR Original Filed Sept. 26, 1962 'T Sheets-Sheet 2INVENTORS: KING L.KLOPFENSTE||\| LOUIS J. MASTELLA ATT'YS Feb. 1, 1966K. KLOPFENSTEIN ETAL 3,232,815

LABEL APPLICATOR 7 SheetsSheet 3 Original Filed Sept. 26, 1962 FIG. I7

INVENTQRSZ KING L. KLOPFENSTEIN LOUIS J. MASTELLA BY flnfl a wzz go wATT'YS Feb. 1, 1966 K. 1.. KLOPFENSTEIN ETAL 3,232,315

LABEL APPLICATOR Original Filed Sept. 26, 1962 7 Sheets-Sheet 4.

PRIGE PER LB L50 72 TOTAL PRICE NET WEIGNT L8.

INVENTORSZ KING L. KLOPFENSTEIN LOUIS J. MASTELLA BY W ATT'YS Feb. 1,1966 K. KLOPFENSTEIN ETAL 3,232,815

LABEL APPLICATOR Original Filed Sept. 26, 1962 7 Sheets-Sheet 5INVENTORS: KING L. KLOPFENSTEIN LOUIS J. MASTELLA BY Mam ATT'YS Feb. 1,1966 K. L. KLOPFENSTEIN ETAL 3,232,815

LABEL APPLICATOR Original Filed Sept. 26, 1962 '7 Sheets-Sheet 6INVENTORSI KING L. KLOPFENSTEIN LOUIS .J. MASTELLA BY ma wwm M ATT'YSFeb. 1, 1966 K. KLOPFENSTEIN ETAL LABEL APPLIGATOR '7 Sheets-Sheet '7Original Filed Sept. 26, 1962 FIG. I0

INVENTORS:

KING L. KLOPFENSTEIN LOUIS J. MASTELLA Maker AT T'YS United StatesPatent 3,232,315 LABEL AEPLICATQR King L. Klopfenstein, ProspectHeights, and Louis J. Mastella, Berwyn, Ill., assignors to TrianglePackage Machinery Company, Chicago, 111., a corporation of IllinoisOriginal application Sept. 26, 1962, Ser. No. 226,373. Divided and thisapplication Apr. 23, 1965, Ser.

5 Claims. (Cl. 156-360) This invention relates to a method and means forapplying labels to articles and is a division of my earlier filedcopending application Serial No. 226,373, filed September 26, 1962. Theaforesaid application is restricted to the method, whereas thisapplication claims apparatus for carrying out the method. Morespecifically, it relates to a reliable and automated method and meansfor receiving pre-printed labels and adhesively applying them to solidarticles, including packages of irregular thicknesses andconfigurations.

In keeping with the trend towards cost-cutting automation in all phasesof business, considerable strides have been made in the field ofautomatic packaging and labeling of products, an area heretoforecharacterized by much hand labor. For example, in the field ofprepackaged food products such as meat, fish, poultry, dairy andvegetable products and the like, methods and means have been developedfor the automatic or semi-automatic wrapping of the product, theconveyance thereof, the weighing thereof, the computation of th cost,the preprinting of labels and the application of the label to theproduct. The present invention is specifically directed to animprovement in this latter step of automatic or semiautomatic labelapplication.

While methods and means have been developed for automating thelabel-application step, such methods and means have heretofore sufferedfrom various deficiencies, including erratic or unreliable operation,poor adhesion, undue complexity, lack of flexibility, insufiicientspeed, product damage, high cost and/or the like. It is therefore anobject of the present invention to provide a method and means forapplying labels to packages which are substantially free of or otherwiseminimize such shortcomings.

It is a more specific object of the present invention to provide areliable method and means for the inexpensive and rapid application ofpreprinted labels to articles of varied thicknesses and configurations.It is a still further object of the present invention to provide asimplified and practical method and means for the peel-resistantapplication of labels to irregularly-shaped articles, said method andmeans lending itself to both fully-automatic and semi-automaticoperation. These and other objects of the present invention will becomeapparent as detailed description thereof proceeds.

The method The method of applying a label in accordance with the presentinvention comprises providing an individual label with indicia on oneface and an unactivated adhesive on the other face. The label ispositioned with its indicia face engaged upon a movable support and withits adhesive face exposed. The indicia face is subjected to theinfluence of sub-atmospheric pressures through the supporting surfacewhereby the resulting vacuous condition holds the ind-icia face flatthereon so that it will not curl. While so held, the adhesive on theexposed face is activated by, for example, raising the temperaturethereof. Simultaneously the movable support is moved towards the articleto be labeled so that the adhesive face of the label contacts thearticle to produce an adherence thereto.

To assure transfer of the label, the vacuous condition between the labeland support is released when the label is in contact with the article.To contour the label to the article after transfer, particularly in thecase of an irregularly'shaped article, a resilient surface is imposedupon the indicia face.

In a particular embodiment, theplaneof approach of the movable supportto the article is uniform. By a uniform plane of approach is meant that,regardless of the thickness of the article, the support means for thelabel, upon contact with the article, remains parallel to a commonplane, e.g., substantially horizontal.

The apparatus To carry out the method, an apparatus is also providedwhich includes a first supporting means for the article to be labeledand, in spaced relation therefrom, a second supporting means forreceiving labels individually from a source of labels. The secondsupporting means is movably disposed so as to be contactable with thearticle to be labeled on the first supporting means. The secondsupporting means also has a vacuum system for producing an interruptiblevacuous condition between the label and the surface of the secondsupporting means whereby the label under the influence of the vacuouscondition is held fiat thereagainst while the adhesive is activated. In'an advantageous embodiment, the adhesive of the label isheat-activatable so that the means for activating the adhesive maysimply comprise a heating element within the second supporting means.Alternatively, hot air or another heat-affording medium may be employed.A drive means is also provided for moving the second supporting means sothat the label supported thereon is brought in contact with the articleon the first supporting means whereby the label is adhesivelytransferred to the article.

A movable, resilient pressure pad and a drive means therefor may also beprovided, particularly when irregularly-shaped articles or packages areto be labeled. The pad is disposed so as to be contactable with thepackage and to apply pressure to the label previously transferredthereto. The resilient surface contours the label to the package or thewrapper thereon.

In an advantageous embodiment the support means for the label contactsthe package in a uniform plane. In a more specific embodiment thesupporting surface for the package is horizontal and the supportingsurface for the label is substantially horizontally disposed when itcontacts the package.

The drawings The present invention and the advantages associatedtherewith will become more apparent from the following detaileddescription of a specific embodiment thereof, said description havingreference to the accompanying drawings which form a part of thisspecification, wherein:

FIGURE 1 is a perspective view of the label applicator of the presentinvention in conjunction with associated apparatuses for packageconveyance, weighing, price computing and label preprinting with whichthe present invention is advantageously employed;

FIGURE 2 is a magnified perspective View of that portion of FIGURE 1with which the present invention is primarily concerned and shows one ofthe initial steps in the method wherein a label is held flat on thelabel-supporting means under the influence of vacuum preparatory toactivation of the adhesive and transport of the label towards thepre-wrapper packa FIGURE 3 is a perspective view similar to that ofFIGURE 2 and shows that step in the method wherein the label-supportingmeans after activation of the adhesive has been swivelled forward anddown to apply the label to the waiting pie-wrapped package;

FIGURE 4 is a perspective view also similar to that of FIGURE 2 andshows that step in the method wherein a resilient surface is imposedupon a wrapped package to contour the label to the wrapper and atransport arm is raised in its return cycle preparatory to engagementwith the package just labeled;

FIGURE 5 shows a typical example of the type of preprinted labelemployed in the present method and apparatus;

FIGURE 6 is a side elevation view of the supporting means for the label,along with associated apparatus, said supporting means being shown inthe at rest or labelreceivlng position;

FIGURE 7 is a side elevation view similar to that of FIGURE 6 exceptthat the supporting means is shown in the semiautomatic label-applyingposition;

FIGURE 8 is a side elevation view similar to those of FIGURES 6 and 7except that the supporting means has been rotated and swivelled down tothe fully-automatic label-applying position;

FIGURE 9 is a partially-cutaway plan view of the apparatus of FIGURE 8;

FIGURE 10 is a partially-cutaway front elevation view of the apparatusof FIGURE 9;

FIGURE 11 is a partially-cutaway side elevation view of thelabel-supporting means in the down or label-applying position;

FIGURE 12 is a partially-cutaway plan view of the label-supporting meansin the down or label-applying position;

FIGURE 13 is a side elevation view of the swivel arm for thelabel-supporting means;

FIGURE 14 is a side elevation view of the cams and actuating arms whichdrive the label-supporting means, the swivel arm therefor, the resilientcontouring pad and the product conveyance arm (between the upper andlower position);

FIGURE 15 is a close-up elevation view of the cam shaft and cams ofFIGURE 14 and the means for breaking the vacuum between the label andlabel-supporting means;

FIGURE 16 is a view taken along lines 16-46 of FIG- URE 15 and shows aside elevation view of the vacuumbreaker means; and

FIGURE 17 shows the drive motor for the apparatus with the associatedbelt-driven vacuum means and beltdriven gear reducer for the cam shaftand also the mechanical linkage for reciprocating the product conveyancearms.

General description Referring to FIGURE 1, a specific embodiment of theapparatus of the present invention is shown as label applicator 10,which is disposed so as to receive prepackaged articles such as meatfrom a wrapping and conveyance means, only a portion of the conveyancesection being shown as 12. Preprinted labels with indicia on one faceand adhesive on the other face are printed within scalecomputer means 14and are individually and gravitationally fed to label applicator 10.

Since wrapping and conveyance means 12, as well as the scale-computermeans 14, do not of themselves constitute a part of the presentinvention, except in combination, and are known to those skilled in theart, they are not described herein in detail. In general, the wrappedarticle such as 15 exits from a wrapping zone (not shown) on tocorrugated or channeled surface 16, the completion of a cycle of theWrapping means being electrically indicated to label applicator 10 viaelectrical connector 18. When such electrical indication is received,label applicator 10 commences its cycle, as will be described in greaterdetail hereinafter. This results in conveyance of the newly-wrappedpackage from surface 16 to the channeled weighing scale surface 19 ofscale-computer 14 by transport arm 20, which, along with transport arms22 and 24-, reciprocates back and forth to push the packages in a seriesof steps in an approximately left-toright direction in FIGURE 1. For thereturn stroke of each reciprocation, the arms are raised so as to passfreely over the packages and are then lowered so as to be in a positionto engage the article for the next push stroke.

The channels on support surfaces 16 and 19 (also 29, identifiedherein-after) provide passages for the downwarddepending extensions orpins of transport arms 20, 22 and M, as is apparent in FIGURE 14, to beconsidered hereinafter. This obviates any possibility of wedgingvery-thin packages between the transport arms and the supportingsurfaces.

The cycle time for label applicator It) is such that wrapped packagesare processed thereon at a rate slightly faster than wrapping means I2can prepare same. Hence, in practice, label applicator 10 is normallywaiting for an electrical indication via cable 18 that wrapping means 12has completed a cycle.

In FIGURE 1, the prepackaged articles are cellophanewrapped steaks, oneof which 26 is shown on the weighing scale surface 19 of scale-computer14, a second of which 28 is shown in the label-applying position onchanneled support surface 29 (substantially hidden in FIGURE 1) beneathmovable label-supporting head 30 of label applicator 1d and third ofwhich 32 is shown beneath the movable resilient patter or pad 34 oflabel applicator 10. As may already be apparent, the pre-wrapped steaksare pushed from conveyance surface 16 by transport arm 20 onto theweighing scale surface of scale-computer 14, where its weight isautomatically detected and provides one of the inputs to scale-computer14. The other input to the scale-computer is the price per unit Weightof the article being handled, that is, the steak. This input is manuallypreset in the computer by means of control handles as on scale-computer14. From these two inputs scale-computer 14 computes the total price.This information, as well as the weight and unit price, and any otherdesired information, e.g., the name of the article, a date code, or thelike, is then automatically imprinted on the indicia side of a paperlabel, the other side of the label having a heat-activatable adhesiveapplied thereto.

The package for which the label is imprinted is pushed by transport arm22 to the label-applying position on surface 29 beneath label-supportinghead 30. At the same time the label with the desired imprinted indiciais released from scale-computer 14 and slides gravitationally on to head30' with the adhesive surface exposed. The indicia side is held flat onhead 30 by a vacuous condition between the indicia side and the head.Head St? is preferably electrically heated, whence the label heldthereon is heated with resultant activation of the adhesive.Simultaneously, head 3% is swivelled and rotated so that the adhesiveside of the label contacts the wrapper of the package, and the vacuouscondition is then released, thereby effecting a transfer of the labelfrom head 30 to the wrapper.

The package is then conveyed by transport arm 2 to the contouringposition so that the transferred label is directly beneath movablepressure pad 34 having a resilient, sponge-like pad of several inchesthickness for pressure application. When resilient pad 34 is rotateddownward so that it contacts the label, it applies a substantiallyuniform pressure over the entire label regardless of the configurationor thickness of the package. This assures adherence of the label overits entire area. The package is: then pushed into receiving chamber 38by the next package to be contoured. While a receiving chamber 38 isshown in FIGURE 1, it should be understood that any other suitablereceiving zone may be employed, e.g., conveyor belt, gravitationalchute, or the like.

In FIGURE 1, panel 40 is the control panel for label applicator andincludes such controls as the off-on switch, the manual-automatic switch(its function to be described hereinafter), the rheostat for adjustingthe temperature of label-supporting means 3t and the like. Upstandingrack 42 on scale-computer means 14 houses a full collection of typeslugs bearing appropriate printed legends, e.g., sirloin steak, whichmight be used on the labels which are printed in scale-computer means14. The selected one of such printings is conveniently inserted intoscale-computer 14 at receptacle 44 and may be quickly changed, ifdesired.

Other indicia such as a date code may be printed on the label byadjusting control handles 46 on scale-computer 14. A visual indicationof the various indicia, e.g., weight of article, price per pound, totalcost or value, and date code, may be read on dial windows 48, 5t) and52. Panels 54 and 56 contain various scale and printer adjustments andvisual displays for scale-computer M, which are not directly pertinentto the present invention and need not be described in detail.

While not apparent in FIGURE 1, the three units of the particular systemillustrated therein, i.e., label applicator 10 of the present invention,wrapping and conveying means 12 and scale-computer 14, are threeseparate units which are readily and quickly separable by disconnectingelectrical leads therebetween, e.g., lead 13, and removing a fewcentering pins or bolts. Also not apparent in H6- URE 1 is the fact thatcorrugated weighing-scale surface 19 of scale-computer 14 register-swith but is independent of corrugated support surface 29 of labelapplicator 1d. Thus, weighing-scale surface 19 extends forward fromscale-computer 14 and forms a bridge between surface in of conveyingmeans 12 and surface 2% of label applicator 10.

Referring to FIGURES 2, 3 and 4, which together show the sequence ofoperations of the label applicator it), a

preprinted label 6% is received from scale-computer 14 via gravity chute62., and gravitationally falls until it hits spring-stop 64. As shown inFIGURE 4 and moredetailed drawings described hereinafter, thelabel-supporting head 30 has a series of apertures adjacent theperiphery thereof whereby an interruptible vacuous condition is appliedbetween the label and head so as to hold the label against head 30 tomake it resistant to curling, particularly at the edges.

The application of sub-atmospheric pressures betwee the label and headis a critical requirement because in the embodiment illustrated thelabel has on its exposed surface a heat-activatable adhesive, usuallyone with delayed or long tack so as not to unduly set up before thecontouring operation. As described in. detail hereinafter, head 3%contains electrical heating elements, which raise the temperature ofhead 36 sufficiently so that the adhesive of the label supported thereonis activated. If the label were not held so as to resist curling, thethermal gradients set up in the label would tend to cause severecurling, loss of contact with the head and activation of only a portionof the adhesive.

A typical example of a label employed in the present embodiment is shownin FIGURE 5. One edge is deliberately curled upward to show the adhesivecoating 66 on the back side thereof. On the indicia side the price perunit weight, the weight and total price are shown at 68, 7t and 72,respectively. A date code '74 is imprinted at the upper left-handcorner. The identity of the product, the name of the store or otherappropriate legend may be imprinted at any of the vacant spaces on thelabel.

The size of the label is such that it completely covers the flat surfaceof label-supporting head 3%. This has the advantage of preventing anydirect contact between head 30 and the package being labeled. With thelabel itself thus acting as a heat insulator, the possibility of heatdamage to the product is minimized.

After label do is received on head 30 with adhesive side exposed asshown in FIGURE 2, the head is rotated, with the label held thereon bythe vacuous condition, to a downward position about pivot arm 7s. Pivotarm '76 in turn is swivelled downward about labeling arm main shaft '78(partially hidden) so that the adhesive side of the label contacts thepackage. At the same time the v-acuous condition between the label andhead 30 is released to effectuate a transfer of the label to thepackage, as shown in FIGURE 3.

The rotation of head 30 around pivot arm and the swivelling of bothabout main shaft 78 are coordinated by means of actuating cams so thatthe surface of head 3% remains substantially horizontal as it approachesthe package. Thus, regardless of the thickness or configurations of thepackage, the plane of approach of head 30 is constant.

After the label is thus transferred to the package, pusharm 24- israised and reciprocates to the left, preparatory to being lowered forpushing the labeled package 28 to the right, as shown in FIGURE 4. Atthe same time, resilient pad 34 on arm 39 is lowered on package 32 so asto contour thereto the label previously transferred thereon, also asshown in FIGURE 4.

While the operation carried out by resilient pad 34 is not necessarilycritical when labeling substantially-flat articles such as steaks, itbecomes most critical when irregularly-shaped articles are beinglabeled, such as whole chickens. In such case only spot or line contactbetween the adhesive side of the label and the package may occur as theresult of lowering rigid head 39 thereon. Thus the label would not beadhered throughout the area of its adhesive side until resilient pad 34is lowered and applied thereto.

Because of the possibility of only spot or line contact between theadhesive side of the label and the package, the importance of thevacuous condition during the prior adhesive-activation step becomesapparent. Without it, only a portion of the adhesive may be activated,particularly in the case of irregularly-shaped packages.

The operation described hereinabove represents the automatic operationof the apparatus of the present invention, wherein all steps are carriedout fully automatically.

A unique feature of the present apparatus, however, is its advantageousadaptability to semi-automatic operation wherein supporting head 3% maybe manually actuated. For such semi-automatic operation, a controlswitch on panel 43 is placed in the manual position so that theelectrical drive mechanism is inactivated. In this alternative type ofoperation, a label, already on supporting head 36, may be applied to apackage by manually thrusting the package against head 3%, whichthrusting action exposes head St) to assure proper contact between thelabel and package, as is apparent from the detailed description whichfollows.

Another aspect of the built-in flexibility of the apparatus is found inspring-stop 64. Should one want a supply of labels from scale-computerwithout automatic or semiautomatic application thereof to packages,scalecomputer 14 may accordingly be set for label dispensing and thelabels received by pushing aside spring-stop 64.

Detailed description Referring to FIGURES 6, 7 and 8, which show thelabel-supporting means, respectively, in the label-receiving position,semi-automatic label-applying position and fully-automaticlabel-applying position, and also referring to FIGURES 9 and 10 whichare, respectively, partiallycutaway plan and front elevation views ofthe label-supporting means in the fully-automatic label-applyingposition, the label-supporting means 3%) is secured to shaft $2 which isrotatably supported at one extremity of pivot arm 76. The otherextremity of pivot arm. 75 is securedto rotatable main shaft '7 ti(FIGURE 10).

In its at rest position, head 30, which is described n detailhereinafter in connection with FIGURES 11 and 12, is recessed withinguide frame 84, which is made up of side guides 86 and 58 andintermediate chute extension 99, which registers with gravity chute 62of scalecomputer 14-. In a preferred embodiment side guides 86 and 88have tracks 87 and 89, respectively, protruding interrnediately, forexample, about from the respective guides beyond chute extension 9% soas to support the edges of the label above head 30 as the label slidesgravitationally. This minimizes frictional restraint or sticking of thelabel as it slides into position. Head 36 picks up the label andsubjects it to a vacuous condition as it starts to rotate for labelapplication.

Guide frame 84- is pivoted as a unitary structure on upstandingsupporting frame 91 by means of pivot pin 92. It is biased in acounterclockwise direction (as shown in FIGURES 6-8) against stop 94 onsupporting frame 91 by means of leaf spring 96, one extremity 96a ofwhich bears against the underside of side guide 84, an intermediateportion 96b of which is held on frame 91 by bracket 97 and the otherextremity sec of which bears against pin 98 on rocker lever The exactposition of guide frame 84 with respect to stop 94 is adjustable bymeans of threaded pin 162.

Beneath head Sit in its at rest or label-receiving position is rockerlever 1% which is pivotally mounted within main frame 91 by means ofpivot shaft 1%. The extremity of rotation of rocker lever fill) in acounterclockwise direction in FIGURES 6-8 is adjustable by means ofthreaded stop 103 which is contactable with surface 10th: of the rockerlever. Rocker lever 1% supports spring stop 64 at one extremity androller 106 at the other extremity.

In the label-receiving position of head 3t of FIGURE 6, spring stop 64functions as a positioning stop for the gravitationally-received labelas it slides down chute 99 preparatory to being subjected, whenoperating fully automatically, to a vacuous condition so as to be heldfiat on head 30. In both the semi-automatic label-applying position andfully-automatic label-applying pos tion or" head 36, as shown in FIGURES7 and 8, respectively, rocker lever llllil rotates clockwisesufficiently to move spring stop 64 downward. In the semi-automaticposition as shown in FIGURE 7, this functions to bring the top of springstop 64 below the level of head 3% so as not to interfere with a packagemanually placed against head 30 for purposes of label application. Inthe automatic position illustrated in FIGURE 8, it functions to provideclearance so that head 30 may be rotated and swivelled to thedownward-facing horizontal position shown, without striking spring stop64.

For the semi-automatic operation, the clockwise movement of rocker lever100 in FIGURES 68 is brought about by pushing the article to be labeledagainst the lowor portion of side guides 36 and 88 of guide frame 84.This action forces downward-depending cam surface 108 of side guide 84against cam roller llii, which is mounted on upstanding extension 112 ofrocker lever 100. The rocker lever is thus moved in a clockwisedirection. This moves roller M36, which in the labelreceiving positionbears against the rear surface of head 30, so as to rotate head 3i?slightly clockwise about pivot 82 so that the upper surface thereof, onwhich the label is supported, is raised above side guides 36 and 88,thereby exposing the label.

Hence, as a package is manually brought in contact with guide frame 84in the position shown in FIGURE 6, it results in downward clockwisemovement of guide frame 84 and simultaneous upward clockwise movement ofhead 30 so as to bring head 30 in contact with the package, asillustrated in FIGURE 7. To assure that the label-supporting surface ofhead 30 is ra sed above the side guides 86 and 88 of guide frame 84-when a package is brought in contact therewith, an upraised contactbutton 114 on side guide 556 is provided. Thus, adequate label-applyingcontact between the head and package is assured, even withirregularly-shaped packages.

For the fully-automatic operation, clockwise movement or rocker lever1th} in FIGURES 68 is brought about by means of the bias of leaf spring96, extremity 960 of which bears :against pin 98 on the rocker lever. Inits label-receiving position, head 36 is held in the position of FIGURE6 by coiled tension spring 116 (FIGURES 9, 10 and 13), one end of whichis secured to hub 118 on head rotation main shaft 12% by threadedfastener 122, and the other end of which is wrapped around and securedto hub 124 on pivot shaft 8.2 by threaded fastener 126. The springtension of spring 116 biases shaft 82 in a counterclockwise direction asshown in FIGURE 6 so that attached head 3t} presses against roller 106of rocker lever 160 with suffi-cient force to overcome the clockwiserotational tendency exerted by extremity 960 of leaf spring 96.

When the tension of spring 116 is overcome by rotating shaft 121clockwise by means to be discussed hereinafter, dual connecting cables128, the ends of which are secured to pulleys or hubs 118 and 124 byfasteners 122 and 126, respectively, transmits clockwise movement toshaft 82 and head 3t). As soon as head 36 starts rotating, rocker lever16%, under the bias of leaf spring 96, follows, thereby dropping sprinstop 64 below and out of the way, as shown in FIGURE 8. When head 30returns from the label-applying to the label-receiving position, theaction is reversed.

A comparison of FIGURES 7 and 8 with FIGURE 6 shows that rock-er lever16M has another function, that is, to supply a signal to scale-computer14- when head 30 is moved to either the semi-automatic orfully-automatic label-applying positions. This is accomplishedelectrically by means of microswitch 129, the electrical circuitry ofwhich is tied in by electrical leads (not shown) to that ofscale-computer 14.

When head 39 is in the label-receiving position of FIG- URE 6,microswitch actuating arm 129a is forced to the left against its ownspring bias by roller 1% of rocker lever 1%. When head 38 is in eitherthe semi-automatic or fully-automatic label-applying positions ofFIGURES 7 and 8, roller 106 moves clockwise to the right so that arm129a snaps to its unloaded position as shown, time by electricallysignaling the movement of head 39. The receipt of the electrical signalin scale-computer 14 informs that unit that the previously-preparedlabel is now being applied to a package and that label applicator 10will be momentarily ready to receive the next label. Thus,scale-computer 14 awaits the receipt of such signal before processingthe next label. The need for such sequence signals is manifest.

Referring to FIGURES 11 and 12, head 3i which is illustrated in thedownward labchapplying position of FIGURE 8, comprises a hollow housing130 having mounted thereon by means of screw fasteners 132 and 134 anelectrical heating element 136 with exposed heating block 3138 andintermediate gasket Mil. Temperature of the heading head is adjustableby rheostat control of heating element 136, the particular temperaturechosen depending on the requirements of the thermally-activatableadhesive selected. Many suitable adhesives are available and known tothose skilled in the art; and in a typical instance a head temperaturein the range of 300 to 400 F. has been found suitable for adhesiveactivation during ful ly-autornatic operation.

Electric current for electrical heating element 136 is supplied vialeads 142 and 144 which are connected via the hollow core of shaft 82.to a commutator assembly having inner and outer collector rings 146 and148, respectively, with intermediate collector ring insulator 159(FIGURE 9). The comutator assembly is enclosed within hollow housing 152which is cast on top of pivot arm available to heating element 136 ofhead 3% regardless of its position or degree of rotation.

Heating block 138 and intermediate sealing gasket 14% have :a series ofperipheral apertures 164, by means of which a vacuous condition orsub-atmospheric pressures may be applied so as to hold a label flatagainst heating lock 138. The vacuous condition is created by means ofan interruptible vacuum system to be briefly described hereinafter inconnection with FIGURES 15-17. The vacuum is applied to head via thehollow connecting passages in shaft 8?, and pivot arm 7-6; theconnecting annular space between head rotation main shaft 1% and hollowconcentric labeling arm main shaft '78, both of which are supported bysubstantially-gas-sealed bearings within shaft housing 156 (FIGURE 10);communicating passageways in housing 156; and vacuum line 168, which isconnected to housing 166 by connector ll7tl (FIG- URE 9).

The rotation of head rotation main shaft 126 and labeling arm main shaftT3 is achieved by means of sprockets 172 and 174, respectively, whichare chain-driven via the motor, cam system and actuating arms shown inFIG- URES 14l7. The primary source of mechanical energy is electricmotor 176 (FIGURE 17), which is mounted on frame 177 and is opcrativelyconnected to main drive shaft 178 via belt lit-ill, clutch pulley N2 ofa magnetic clutch and speed reducer 184. Motor 176. is also operativelyconnected to vacuum pump 11.85 via belt drive 133, said pump having avacuum line 1% which is connected to the vacuum interrupter system shownin FIGURE 16.

Main drive shaft 11 8 has :a series of five control cams 192, 194, 1%,1% and 2% (FIGURE 15) adjustablyfixedly secured thereto. Cam 1%:actuates off-on electric switch 2-11 2, which is part of a parallelelectric-circuit controlling magnetic clutch 182, which circuit alsoincludes electric connector 1'3 (FIGURE 1). At the beginning of a cycle,cam 192 is positioned so that switch 2% is in the off position so thatmagnetic clutch 1'82 is deenergize-d. Magnetic clutch 152 is initiallyenergized so as to operatively couple electric motor 17-6, via belt 13dand speed reducer 184, to main drive 173 when an electric signal istransmitted to the clutch via electrical connector 18. The electricsignal, actually the closing of an electric circuit, results, asaforementioned, when the wrapping zone completes a cycle. With magneticclutch 182 thus energized, transport arm 2%} is actuated, as describedhereinafter, so as to engage any package on surface is and push it toweighing scale surface 19. The signal via electric connector 13 is ofshort duration; and, except for the parallel circuitry, including switch262, magnetic clutch 182 would be deenergized before label applicator idcompletes its cycle.

Before the signal via connector 18 is interrupted however, cam 192 hasrotated sutiiciently to actuate electric switch 292, which closes aparallel circuit and continues to energize the magnetic clutch until acycle of label applicator it is completed. A cycle has reference to anyone of the operations which occurs simultaneously at each of the threestations in the combined apparatus, i.e., the weighing station, thelabel-applying station and the label contouring station. At thecompletion of a cycle, camcontrolled switch 292 is opened and labelapplicator 10 remains at rest until another signal is transmitted tolabel applicator 10 via connector 18.

i a direction opposite to that of head 34 Tension spri Cam 194 on maindrive shaft 178 is shaped as shown in FIGURE 16 and serves to open andclose the vacuum circuit which, when closed, holds the label flat onheating block 138 of head 33. As is already apparent from the previousdescription, the vacuous condition is applied after a label isgravitationally received via chute opening 62 from scale-computer l4-and slides down chute extension until it strikes spring stop 64. In thispositon it covers heating block 138 and is then held fiat thereon byapplication of the sub-atmospheric pressures.

This vacuous condition is maintained while head 39 is rotated andswivelled to the label-applying position of FTGURE 8 and is interruptedprior to the commencement of the return of head 3% to thelabel-receiving position of FTGURE 6. The vacuous condition assuresproper activation of all of the heat-activatable adhesive on the exposedsurface of the label, and at the same time the timely interruption ofthe vacuous condition assures that an adherence between the label andpackage is achieved.

The application and interruption of the vacuous condition is simply andreadily achieved by means of T coupling 204 with connectors 206 and 2&3which link vacuum lines 163 and 1%. The third port of the T is securedto bracket 21% and is closed when vacuum breaker arm 212 is in thehorizontal position so as to cover the port and is open when arm 212 israised by engagement of the upraised surface of cam 194 with camfollower 214, as is indicated in dashed lines on FIGURE 16.

Cam T96 controls the rotation or swivelling of pivot arm '76 via camfollower 216; cam-follower arm 213, which is pivoted at pivot 226(FIGURE 14); chain connector 222, which is tension loaded by coil spring224.; chain sprocket 174i and siaft 78. As is apparent from the geometryof the linkage, cam follower arm 218 rotates in the same direction aspivot arm 76. Likewise, since tension spring 224, which is anchored tothe frame of the apparatus by holder 225, is the source of energy, pivotarm 76 will continue to rotate downward within the limits permitted bythe configuration of cam 196 until the resistance thereto overcomes thetension of spring 224. Thus articles of various thicknesses can beaccommodated and labeled without need for adjustment or risk of crushmgsame.

Cam 198 controls the rotation of head 36 via cam follower 2226; camfollower arm 228, which is pivoted at pivot 22%; chain connector 230,which is tension loaded by coil spring 232 via rotatabledirection-changing sprocket 234- on fixed upstanding bracket 236; chainsprocket 1'72; shaft 112%; hub 1125; dual connecting cables 128; hub1.2.4- and shaft As is apparent from the geometry of the linkage, camfollower arm 228 rotates in 23.2 is anchored to the frame of theapparatus by bracket As previously indicated, the rotation of head Elland pivot arm in is coordidated so that heating block 138 of head 36,regardless of the thickness of the article to be labeled, contacts thearticle in a common plane. This plane in the specific embodimentdescribed is substantially horizontal as shown in FIGURE 8, as is thelane of surface 29 on which article to be labeled is supported. Thisdesired coordination of the rotation of head 3% and pivot arm "in isreadily achieved, as one skilled in the art will recognize, byappropriate shaping of cams T96 and 1'98 and the placement thereof onmain drive shaft 178.

Cam 2% controls the movement of pressure pad or patter 34 as well as theraising of transport arms 23, 22 and 24. Transport arms 2% 22 and 24 aremounted in fixed spaced relationship from each on a common horizontalsupport bar 24%), one end of which can be seen in FIGURE 14.

The movement of pressure pad 34 is controlled by earn 2% via camfollower 2242'; cam follower arm 244,

which is pivoted at pivot 22% and is biased in a counterclockwisedirection in FIGURE 14 by tcnsioned coil spring 246; chain connector248; double-arm casting 250; rotatable shaft 252, to which casting 25sis secured; and patter arm 80, which is secured to shaft 252. Casting250 is biased in a counterclockwise direction in FZG- URE 14 bytensioned coil spring 2 54, but the tension is not sufiicient toovercome the greater tension of coil spring 246. Both coil springs 246and 254 are secured to the frame of the apparatus at anchor bracket 256.From the geometry of the linkage it is apparent that patter arm 80rotates in a direction opposite to that of cam follower arm 244.

, The movement of transport arms 20, 22 and 24 is controlled by cam 200by means of a linkage which includes cam follower arm 24 push rod 258,casting 26h, bracket 262 and transport arm support bar 240. Casting 26%is secured to and pivots with a horizontal slide bar (not shown)rotatably mounted at 264. Bracket 262 is keyed by means of a rollerconfined within a track in the slide bar so as to rotate therewith butis slidably mounted thereon so as to be capable of horizontal movementalong its length. This slidable movement along the length of the slidebar is controlled by push rod 266, oniy the end of which is visible inFIGURE 14 but which is shown lengthwise in FIGURE 17.

It is apparent from the geometry of the linkage in FIG- URE 14 that thetransport arms 20, 22 and Z4 rotate in a direction opposite to that ofcam follower arm 244. It is also apparent from FIGURE 14 that transportarms El), 22 and 24 would rotate upward in a counterclockwise directionat the same time that patter arm 3h rotates downward, also in acounterclockwise direction.

The horizontal movement of push rod 266 is achieved by means of thelinkage shown in FIGURE 17. Drive crank 2&8 is secured to and rotatesWith drive shaft 178 and, via universal joint 27 0, actuates push rod272. The lower extremity of push rod 272 is pivotally secured by anotheruniversal joint to rocker arm 274, which in turn is rotatably mounted onframe 177 by means of shaft 2'76. Pusher arm 278 is also pivotallysupported on shaft 276 and is locked to rocker arm 2-74 at commonabutting surfaces 274a and 276a by means of tensioned interconnectingsafety spring 2%. Rocker arm and pusher arm 278 pivot as a unit aboutshaft 276 except when any one of the transport arms Ztl, 22 and 24strike an obstruction, preventing reciprocation of push rod 266 to theright in FIGURE 17. Safety spring 2% thus prevents breakage of thelinkage or drive system when such obstructions are encountered.

From the geometry of the linkage just described, it is apparent that asdrive shaft 178 rotates a full revolution,

push rod 266 with attached assemblies, including transport arms 20, 22and 24, will reciprocate back and forth horizontally. From the previousdescription of the action of cam follower arm 244, push rod 258, casting260 and bracket 2 62, it is apparent that the horizontal movement oftransport arms 20, 22 and 24 is accompanied by the periodic raisingthereof. The two movements are coordinated so that the transport armsare down as they push the packages as shown in FIGURE 1 and are raisedto pass back over the packages on the return stroke.

The proper coordination of all movements and linkages is readilyachieved herein because all actuating movements are powered by the samecommon drive shaft 17?. Hence, by proper design of cam shapes and properlacement of such actuating mechanisms on drive shaft 178, overallcoordination is assured, as one skilled in the art will recognize in thelight of the present disclosure.

Other advantages From the above detailed description, it is apparentthat the objects of the present invention have been achieved.Specifically, the present invention provides a reliable methi2 ed andmeans for the inexpensive and rapid application of preprinted labels toarticles of varied thicknesses and configurations. The method and meansare relatively simple, lend themselves to both fully-automatic andsemiautomatic operation and, in addition, result in a label which issubstantially peel resistant.

As is also apparent from the above description, the method and meanscombine or telescope the operations of label receipt, label holdingunder vacuum, adhesive activation, label transport and label applicationinto a simple, unitary continuous operation. Because substantially allof the adhesive on the label is activated, the label, after contouring,is securely affixed to the package over the entire area of the adhesive.This is assured whether the article to be labeled is flat surfaced orirregularly-shaped.

Because label holding, adhesive activation and label transport arecarried out simultaneously, terminating with label application, theoperation is rapid, particularly when contrasted to prior arttechniques. Further, since there is no lag between the adhesiveactivation step and the label application step, there is no difficultywith premature adhesive setup. Moreover, when using heat-activatableadhesives, there is no need to overheat the adhesive to compensate forundesired cooling prior to label application.

Since the adhesive may be activated throughout the period that the labelis being transported to the package, lower head temperatures arepermitted for given amount of heat transfer. Moreover, there is noundesired contact between the heating head and the adhesive itself andno direct contact between the heating head and the package to belabeled, the label acting as an effective physical and thermalinsulator. Furthermore, there are no mechanical fingers or otherextraneous devices to effect label transport or to come between thelabel and heating surfaces.

When the apparatus is in semi-automatic operation, the vacuum system,which in the fully-automatic operation draws air through the orifices inthe heating head and thus cools same, is disconnected from the heatinghead. Because air thus no longer passes through the head to carry awayheat, the temperature of the head increases, even without increased heatinput, e.g., from about 300- 400 F. in fully-automatic operation toabout 45(l550 in semi-automatic operation. This increase is desirablebecause in semi-automatic operation the head travels a shorter distanceand the operator usually labels packages with a faster motion than whenthey are labeled fully automatically. Thus the heating period isabbreviated. The higher head temperatures, however, compensate for thisand are capable of activating the adhesive in the shorter periodavailable Without any adjustment.

The embodiment of the invention herein described is activated, asaforementioned, by the completion of a cycle of the associated wrappingmeans. This activation occurs whether an article was or was not actuallyWrapped. Hence, when a cycle is completed without depositing an articleon the conveyance surface of the wrapping means, the label applicatoralso goes through its cycle. In effect, a blank operation occurs. Thescale of the scale-computer, however, detects the absence of an articleand does not process an unneeded label.

When the vacuum circuit is connected to the heated labeling head withouta label supported thereon, the resulting passage of air therethroughcontributes substantially to the aforementioned air cooling thereof.Under such circumstances, it is apparent why in fully-automaticoperation head temperatures are typically in the range of SOD-400 F.,whereas in manual operation, wherein the vacuum circuit is neverconnected to the head, head temperatures rise substantially to 450-550F. without additional heat input.

It should be understood, of course, that the present labeling apparatuscan process any article regardless of whether it is wrapped. Thus thearticle need not be exiting from a wrapping Zone or the like. Moreover,if blank cycles of the labeling apparatus are undesired, a conventionalarticle detection or sensing circuit may be employed so that anactivating signal is sent to the labeling apparatus only when an articleis sensed.

While the method and means of the present invention have been describedwith particular reference to a specific label applicator design, suchdesign is merely descriptive, and the inventive concept is notnecessarily limited thereto. For example, the heating head might be madewith a resilient surface so that the steps of label application andcontouring may be combined. Many alternative modifications will beapparent from the above description to those skilled in the art. Theseand other alternatives are considered within the spirit and scope of thepresent invention and coverage thereof is intended by this application.

Having described the invention, what is claimed is:

1. Apparatus for applying a label to a stationary package wherein thelabel has indicia on one face thereof and an tin-activated adhesive onthe other face, said apparatus comprising (a) a first support means forsaid package,

(b) a second support means located in a plane above said package forreceiving a label and supporting it and mounted for reciprocationbetween an at-rest, label-receiving position above the package and atone side of the center line thereof and a label-delivering position onthe package laterally of said labelreceiving position,

(c) vacuum means for producing a vacuous condition between said labeland said second support means, thereby to hold said label on said secondsupport means during movement thereof toward said package,

(d) means associated with said second support means for activating saidadhesive while the label is subject to said vacuous condition,

(e) means for imparting to said second support means with the labelthereon an initial movement from said at-rest, label-receiving positionto another position which positions the label above the stationarypackage,

(f) means for imparting to said second support means with the labelthereon with the adhesive face positioned away therefrom, a secondmovement which is independent of said initial movement and the path ofwhich is different from the path of said initial movement, said pathbeing from said other position above the package in a directiondownwardly toward said stationary package and into contact therewith,and. means to automatically regulate the extent of said second movementto accommodate packages of various heights, and

(g) means for releasing said vacuous condition after the label has beenmoved into contact with said package, whereby the label is adhesivelytransferred thereto.

2. Apparatus as defined in claim 1, wherein said means for imparting tosaid second support means an initial movement includes a pivotallymounted arm connected to said second support means, whereby said initialmovement is in an arcuate path.

3. Apparatus as defined in claim 2, wherein said means for imparting tosaid second support means a second movement downwardly toward saidstationary package includes a second pivotally mounted arm on which saidfirst named arm is pivotally mounted.

4. Apparatus for applying a label to a stationary package wherein thelabel has indici-a on one face thereof and an unactivated adhesive onthe other face, said apparatus comprising,

(a) a first support means for said package,

(b) a source of label suppl (c) a second support means for receiving alabel located in a plane above said package and mounted forreciprocation between an at-rest, label receiving position above thepackage and at one side of the center line thereof and a labeldelivering position on the package laterally of said label-receivingposition,

(d) a chute extending from said source of label supply to a pointadjacent said second support means, Whereby a label from said source oflabel supply is delivered by said chute to said second support means inspaced relation to said first support means,

(e) vacuum means for producing a vacuous condition between said labeland said second support means, thereby to hold said label on said secondsupport means during movement thereof toward said package,

(f) means associated with said second support means for activating saidadhesive while the label is subject to said vacuous condition,

(g) means for imparting to said second support means with the labelthereon an initial movement from said at-rest, label-receiving positionto another position which positions the label above the stationarypackage,

(h) means for imparting to said second support means with the labelthereon with the adhesive face positioned away therefrom, a secondmovement which is independent of said initial movement and the path ofwhich is different from the path of said initial movement, said pathbeing from said other position above the package in a directiondownwardly toward said stationary package and into contact therewith,and means to automatically regulate the extent of said second movementto accommodate packages of various heights, and

(i) means for releasing said vacuous condition after the label has beenmoved into contact with said package, whereby the label is adhesivelytransferred thereto.

5. Apparatus for applying a label to a stationary package wherein thelabel has indicia on one face thereof and an unactivated adhesive on theother face, said apparatus comprising,

(a) a first support means for said package,

(b) a second support means located in a plane above said package forreceiving a label and supporting it and mounted for reciprocationbetween an at-rest, label-receiving position above the package and atone side of the center line thereof, and a label-delivering position onthe package laterally of said label-receiving position,

(0) vacuum means for producing a vacuous condition between said labeland said second. support means, thereby to hold said label on saidsecond support means during movement thereof toward said pack- (d) meansassociated with said second support means for activating said adhesivewhile the label is subject to said vacuous condition,

(e) means for imparting to said second support means with the labelthereon an initial movement from said at-rest, label-receiving positionto another position which positions the label above the stationarypackage,

(f) means for imparting to said second support means with the labelthereon with the adhesive face posi tioned away therefrom, a secondmovement which is independent of said initial movement and the path ofwhich is different from the path of said initial movement, said pathbeing from said other position above the package in a directiondownwardly toward said stationary package and into contact therewith,

(g) means to automatically regulate the extent of said l5 36 secondmovement to accommodate packages of vari- References Cited Fay theExaminer ous heights, including a cam for controlling the UNITED STATESPATENTS movement of sand means for imparting sald second movement, andyieldable means associated there- 2,681,743 6/1954 at 156 571 5 with and5 2,878,953 3/1959 Mitchell 156-671 X (h) means for releasing saidvacuous condition after 8/1960 Allen 156334 X the label has been movedinto contact with said package, whereby the label is adhesivelytransferred EARL BERGERT Prlmary Examine thereto. C. B. COSBY, AssistantExaminer.

1. APPARATUS FOR APPLYING A LABEL TO A STATIONARY PACKAGE WHEREIN THELABEL HAS INDICIA ON ONE FACE THEREOF AND AN UNACTIVATED ADHESIVE ON THEOTHER FACE, SAID APPARATUS COMPRISING (A) A FIRST SUPPORT MEANS FOR SAIDPACKAGE, (B) A SECOND SUPPORT MEANS LOCATED IN A PLANE ABOVE SAIDPACKAGE FOR RECEIVING A LABEL AND SUPPORTING IT AND MOUNTED FORRECIPROCATION BETWEEN AN AT-REST, LABEL-RECEIVING POSITION ABOVE THEPACKAGE AND AT ONE SIDE OF THE CENTER LINE THEREOF AND ALABEL-DELIVERING POSITION ON THE PACKAGE LATERALLY OF SAIDLABELRECEIVING POSITION, (C) VACUUM MEANS FOR PRODUCING A VACUOUSCONDITION BETWEEN SAID LABEL AND SAID SECOND SUPPORT MEANS, THEREBY TOHOLD SAID LABEL ON SAID SECOND SUPPORT MEANS DURING MOVEMENT THEREOFTOWARD SAID PACKAGE, (D) MEANS ASSOCIATED WITH SAID SECOND SUPPORT MEANSFOR ACTIVATING SAID ADHESIVE WHILE THE LABEL IS SUBJECT TO SAID VACUOUSCONDITION, (E) MEANS FOR IMPARTING TO SAID SECOND SUPPORT MEANS WITH THELABEL THEREON AN INITIAL MOVEMENT FROM SAID AT-REST, LABEL-RECEIVINGPOSITION TO ANOTHER POSITION WHICH POSITIONS THE LABEL ABOVE THESTATIONARY PACKAGE, (F) MEANS FOR IMPARTING TO SAID SECOND SUPPORT MEANSWITH THE LABEL THEREON WITH THE ADHESIVE FACE POSITIONED AWAY THEREFROM,A SECOND MOVEMENT WHICH IS INDEPENDENT OF SAID INITIAL MOVEMENT AND THEPATH OF WHICH IS DIFFERENT FROM THE PATH OF SAID INITIAL MOVEMENT, SAIDPATH BEING FROM SAID OTHER POSITION ABOVE THE PACKAGE IN A DIRECTIONDOWNWARDLY TOWARD SAID STATIONARY PACKAGE AND INTO CONTACT THEREWITH,AND MEANS TO AUTOMATICALLY REGULATE THE EXTENT OF SAID SECOND MOVEMENTTO ACCOMMODATE PACKAGES OF VARIOUS HEIGHTS, AND (G) MEANS FOR RELEASINGSAID VACUOUS CONDITION AFTER THE LABEL HAS BEEN MOVED INTO CONTACT WITHSAID PACKAGE, WHEREBY THE LABEL IS ADHESIVELY TRANSFERRED THERETO.